Caleb Williams is one year ahead of Josh Allen in the Chicago Bears quarterback room.

The Chicago Bears are one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NFL, yet they’ve long struggled to find consistent play at the quarterback position. From the iconic days of quarterbacks like Sid Luckman in the 1940s to the more recent struggles with Mitchell Trubisky and Jay Cutler, Chicago has always been in search of a true franchise quarterback. Enter Caleb Williams, a young, electrifying talent who has the potential to change the trajectory of this franchise.

While Williams is currently a college star at USC, his entry into the NFL draft in 2024—coupled with the hypothetical scenario of him joining the Bears—provides a tantalizing vision of what the Bears could look like with an elite quarterback. This vision becomes even more compelling when comparing Williams to Josh Allen, another elite quarterback prospect who entered the NFL in 2018 and has since taken the NFL by storm with the Buffalo Bills.

The Quarterback Room in Chicago: A Hypothetical Shift

As the 2024 NFL draft approaches, the Chicago Bears find themselves in an advantageous position, both with their overall talent and cap space, but more importantly, they are also in a position to select a quarterback who can lead them into a new era. Enter Caleb Williams, the potential No. 1 pick, who has drawn comparisons to some of the NFL’s top quarterbacks due to his dual-threat abilities and poise under pressure.

While Justin Fields is currently the starting quarterback for the Bears, the future of the position remains murky. Fields, a mobile quarterback with excellent arm strength, has shown flashes of brilliance but remains inconsistent at times. The Bears’ new front office and coaching staff may ultimately decide that they want to hit the reset button at the quarterback position. If they decide to draft Caleb Williams, they would be getting a player one year ahead of Josh Allen’s NFL trajectory, and one who could potentially lead the team to heights that Fields, despite his potential, may never reach.

The Skill Set Comparison: Caleb Williams vs. Josh Allen

Before diving into the impact Williams would have in the Bears’ quarterback room, it’s essential to take a closer look at the similarities and differences between Williams and Josh Allen.

Caleb Williams:

Caleb Williams has been a revelation during his time at USC. A five-star recruit out of high school, Williams transferred from Oklahoma to USC in 2022, and since then, he has been a standout performer. Williams has a rare combination of physical tools—he’s fast, mobile, and can throw from a variety of platforms. His ability to make throws on the run, both short and deep, has garnered significant attention. He has a calm demeanor under pressure and has the ability to extend plays with his legs, a trait that has become invaluable in today’s NFL.

Williams is a dual-threat quarterback, but his most notable feature is his football IQ. He makes good decisions under pressure, doesn’t force throws, and knows when to throw the ball away or take off and run. He’s also been incredibly effective in clutch situations, which has made him a favorite to be the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Josh Allen:

Josh Allen’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. Coming out of the University of Wyoming, Allen was considered a raw prospect—boasting a cannon of an arm but lacking the accuracy and consistency that most NFL teams covet in a quarterback. However, Allen’s athleticism and strong arm led the Buffalo Bills to take a chance on him with the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Since entering the NFL, Allen has transformed into one of the league’s most dominant quarterbacks. His combination of size (6’5″, 237 lbs), arm strength, and mobility has allowed him to become a dual-threat weapon for the Bills. He is particularly dangerous outside the pocket, where he can extend plays and throw deep down the field. Allen has improved his accuracy and decision-making over the years, and his ability to take over games with his legs and arm makes him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL today.

The Parallels: What Caleb Williams Can Learn from Josh Allen

As we examine the potential for Caleb Williams to step into the Chicago Bears quarterback room, it’s important to look at the trajectory of Josh Allen’s career and the lessons Williams can learn from Allen’s rise to stardom.

1. Developing a Relationship with Coaching Staff:

When Josh Allen entered the NFL, his accuracy was one of his biggest weaknesses. Buffalo’s coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, did a great job of developing Allen’s mechanics, helping him refine his accuracy, and focusing on building an offense that played to his strengths. In the case of Caleb Williams, the Bears’ coaching staff would need to play a similarly pivotal role. Williams comes into the league with exceptional athleticism, but he must also refine his fundamentals to become a true NFL-caliber quarterback.

Like Allen, Williams would benefit greatly from a strong relationship with the Bears’ coaching staff. The Bears have made strides in the hiring of experienced coaches, and the development of Williams should be one of their primary focuses. With a proven coaching staff to develop his skills, Williams has the potential to quickly adapt to the NFL and reach his full potential.

2. A Dual-Threat Quarterback for the Modern NFL:

Both Allen and Williams share similar styles of play, which makes them perfect fits for today’s NFL. The modern game has shifted toward dual-threat quarterbacks who can make plays with both their arms and their legs. Allen has been one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, and Williams has already shown similar mobility in college.

Having the ability to extend plays and make defenses account for the quarterback as both a passer and a rusher gives teams a significant advantage. Williams can be the type of quarterback who forces defensive coordinators to adjust their schemes, and with a solid offensive line and weapons like Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet, he would have the pieces around him to succeed early on.

3. Handling Pressure and Adapting to Big Moments:

Josh Allen’s ability to perform in clutch moments has been one of his most defining traits as an NFL quarterback. Whether it’s a game-winning drive or a playoff victory, Allen has consistently shown the ability to deliver when the stakes are highest. Caleb Williams has already shown flashes of this ability in college, especially during his time at USC.

If Williams does indeed land with the Bears, he will face intense scrutiny right from the start. However, with his calm demeanor and poise under pressure, he could handle that pressure and flourish in clutch moments.

The Bears’ Development Strategy with Williams

The biggest factor in Caleb Williams’ success as a Chicago Bear would be how the franchise builds around him and supports his development. Given that Williams is coming into a situation with a lot of promise but also significant rebuilding to do, it would be crucial for the Bears to provide him with the right tools to succeed.

1. Offensive Line Support:

One of the most significant factors in Allen’s early success was the Bills’ commitment to improving their offensive line. The Bears must do the same for Williams, ensuring he has enough protection to avoid constant pressure and to allow him to develop his passing game.

2. Weapons Around Him:

Justin Fields has been criticized for not having enough weapons, but the Bears have already started to make moves to address this need. Adding top-tier wide receivers, a reliable offensive line, and playmakers at tight end would provide Williams with the resources he needs to succeed in his rookie season.

3. Developing Consistency:

One of the most crucial aspects of Williams’ development will be to refine his consistency, particularly with his accuracy and decision-making. The Bears will need to provide him with a system and coaching staff that focuses on these areas so he can avoid making costly mistakes early in his career.

What It Means for Justin Fields

The arrival of Caleb Williams would undoubtedly have an impact on Justin Fields. Fields has shown flashes of greatness, but his consistency has been a question mark throughout his early career. With the Bears drafting a quarterback like Williams, it would create a competitive environment in the quarterback room. Fields would need to step up his game to remain the starter, while Williams would get the chance to learn behind an established player before taking the reins.

 A New Era for the Chicago Bears

The idea of Caleb Williams stepping into the Chicago Bears’ quarterback room is an exciting one. As a player with a skill set similar to Josh Allen’s—highly mobile, capable of making all the throws, and clutch in key moments—Williams has the potential to be the franchise quarterback the Bears have long sought. While it’s too early to predict exactly what the Bears’ quarterback situation will look like, the addition of Williams would certainly give Chicago the opportunity to turn the page on years of quarterback instability.

In one year, the Bears could be looking at a future filled with promise, a young quarterback capable of leading the team to the playoffs, and a new era of success that begins with Caleb Williams at the helm. This is the kind of bold move that could transform the Bears’ franchise for years to come.